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It can be a struggle to keep a New Year’s resolution — but being mindful of how to work toward your goals may help.
Instead of thinking about making resolutions as a monotonous task you rush through each year, really use the time for reflection.
Focus on your resolutions and on the goals you want to achieve.
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There are several methods that can help you choose a more attainable New Year's resolution — and ultimately make your year better.
Read on for 10 smart tips.
Take the time to really reflect on the year past when making resolutions for the year ahead. (iStock)
1. Take time to reflect
Before you set your New Year’s resolutions, spend time thinking about the last year.
Ask yourself what you learned, what you achieved, what mistakes you may have made — and the ways in which you'd like to grow in the upcoming year.
2. Be specific
The more clearly defined your pathway is, the easier it is to follow, says psychologist Peter Drucker.
When you make your resolution "Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound" — or "SMART" — you set yourself up for success.
For example, the resolution "I want to grow my savings account" is easier to approach if it sounds like "I’d like to add $10,000 to my savings account by putting away 15% of my paycheck for a year." This makes it easier to track your progress.
Plus, noticing your progress along the way arguably makes you more likely to continue.
3. Take a balanced approach to health goals
New Year’s is often a time to set resolutions around health, especially weight loss. If you find yourself setting the same goal at the beginning of each year and running out of steam by February, take this year as an opportunity to shake things up.
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There are many areas of health besides the physical aspects.
Consider making improvements to your mental, emotional or spiritual health.
When making resolutions, be sure they are specific. Include the steps you'll take to achieve your goals. (iStock)
4. Think about what brings you joy
If your resolution doesn’t excite you, there’s a good chance you won’t make it a priority.
Plus, there is no rule that your resolution has to focus on self-improvement.
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This year, think about what inspires you — and how to bring more of that into your life.
5. Talk to the people close to you
Our friends and family sometimes know us better than we know ourselves, so their input can be extremely helpful in setting self-improvement goals.
When you're choosing your New Year's resolution, try implementing one or all of these suggestions. It may help bring success.
Use the people around you as sounding boards when making your resolutions. They may provide good insights for you. (iStock)
6. Keep your list small and manageable
Having many goals may look good on paper, but too many can be hard to achieve.
If you have a huge list of goals, you’re likely to start giving up on them one by one. Instead, focus on a few strong, specific goals that are achievable.
Having just a few goals will provide you with more wins, rather than a feeling of defeat when you don’t accomplish them all.
7. Start by writing them down
In a world of technology, putting pencil to paper may seem a thing of the past.
But when it comes to resolutions, you’ll want to take an old-school approach.
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Writing your goals down can help you really focus on them and map out your thoughts.
Take time to jot down your thoughts before you come up with your final goals for the year.
Brainstorm goals on paper so you can work out clear and precise resolutions you want to accomplish. (Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
8. Display goals in a format and location that works best for you
Once your resolutions are written down, don’t tuck them away until next year.
Instead, display them in a spot you often see, so that you're always reminded of the goals you set for yourself.
For those who are more visual, create a vision board filled with images that are representative of your resolutions — and use that as a reminder instead.
Whether it’s through words, pictures or a little bit of both, have your resolutions on display.
Failure to do so will likely result in forgetting your resolutions.
9. Share your resolutions with loved ones
Reaching goals solely on your own can be difficult, but having others to hold you accountable can be a helpful tool.
Sometimes, you may need a healthy nudge to push you in the right direction.
Your loved ones can provide that for you.
10. Stay confident about achieving your goals
New Year’s resolutions are hard to maintain throughout the year.
If one of your resolutions isn’t going as you planned, don’t give up.
Don't get discouraged if your resolutions seem to be falling through. Get back on track and create new goals throughout the year. (iStock)
While New Year’s is a time when many people make goals for the year, it’s not the only time you can do so, of course.
Goals can be made at any point in the year.
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Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to achieve every single one of your goals.
As long as you are working toward a goal, you can feel confident that you are moving in the right direction.
Brooke Lewitas contributed reporting.
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